January 25, 2010

Le 23 Clauzel in the 9th: Maybe escaping the curse.

4.5 Le 23 Clauzel, 23 rue Clauzel in the 9th, 01.48.78.74.40, closed Sundays is in the space previously occupied by Le Charlain, Auberge et Cie and before that Auberge Landaise, all for relatively brief periods of time in the last decade and reported on by me in prior lives. So I approached it with a heavy heart but knew my cheerful friend would brighten my day no matter how dreadful the food.

They have real deals: 10 for the plates of the day, 15 for 2 courses and 18.50 Euros for three with a luxurious menu at 34 E. We went for the three course one.

My pal started with the brochettes of salmon which were very tasty and I had an equally good soup, supposedly of carrots, leeks and potatoes but I swear some peas snuck into it.

Then he had chicken which I found tough and I had tender and undercooked fat short ribs with a honey glaze that we both loved; I even liked the mashies with a star anise sauce.

His chocolate gateau was really a brownie and a fine one at that and I tested the floating island for Team Colette; not bad.

With a half liter of Bordeaux and two coffees from a pretentious separate carte our bill was 56.30 - Wow!

Downside: my friend really wanted two starters but their rigidity forced them to make him bend to their desires thus costing them more, but ah well.